Alcohol Education Supported

An overwhelming majority of Americans -- 84% -- support alcohol
education and strict enforcement of existing laws as the best way
to reduce underage drinking and drunk driving, according to a recent
poll.

The survey, conducted by DataDevelopmment Corporation, also found
the 64% of Americans -- about two out of three -- oppose a ban of
ads on alcohol beverages. Other finding include:

95% of Americans are in full support of designated driver awareness
programs.

92% support alcohol education programs in high schools.

82% believe there should be college programs or classes on
responsible drinking.

93% favor tougher laws on repeat drunk driving offenders.

Dr. Richard Hamm, Professor of History at the State University
of New York at Albany and author of a book on National Prohibition,
observed that “it seems Americans have learned from history
and understand that education campaigns are most effective in convincing
people that they should moderate their consumption of alcohol.”
He said that “advertising campaigns to encourage responsible
drinking by adults, education programs in schools, extra-legal means
like designated drivers, which grew out of education efforts, and
better enforcement of existing alcohol laws are all supported by
a high percentage of the people surveyed.”